Saint Vincent 8th Graders 'Team Up' at Camp Tuttle

Intermountain Catholic

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Starting the 2011-2012 school year right, 8th-grade students from Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic School gained "Team Spirit" by sharing many team-building tasks at their annual retreat.

It was a cool but pristine day at Camp Tuttle in Big Cottonwood Canyon for Saint Vincent’s 8th graders. The teens were delighted to have a change of pace and the opportunity to get out of the classroom setting; close to 40 percent of these students have been in the same building for over 10 years. Traditionally 8th-grade students are anxious to fly the coop as they anticipate moving onto high school; however, this day was different.

This annual "team building" retreat was an ideal start to their final year at St. Vincent’s. The day began with a group getting-to-know-you-better activity and was followed by a variety of other team accomplished games and puzzles. Students quickly learned that to reach a group goal, they needed to work on listening, trusting, problem-solving, and cooperation skills.

One of the tasks was for all students to cross an area using only a few wood platforms that could not touch the ground. Students had to strategize how they would accomplish their goal and then to put their plans into action. Another task was to work together to move from place to place using heavy long boards as shoes. Another was for students to navigate through a spider web by lifting each other through without touching the web. This required a lot of trust in each other so they would not be dropped.

As part of their final 8th-grade year, these students will participate in two more retreats. In January they will attend a retreat emphasizing their relationship with God and His importance to them in their life decisions. In May, a few days before graduation, they will participate in a retreat to reflect on the memories and cherished friendships they have built at Saint Vincent de Paul School as they look toward the future.

Courtesy of Saint Vincent de Paul School